Rarity of California Roof?

[blue318ticali]

Reviving an old thread, my ti with the Cali roof is blue with cloth seats, gray interior and automatic. I haven't seen hardly any with that combo. Am I alone? Lok


~1997 mustang cobra
~1997 BMW M3 sedan
-1996 BMW 318ti California roof
-2005 pontiac vibe

[eeyore-ns]

Enjoyed my '98 with Cali roof. Very few in Canada but still quite practical for our short summers. Leatherett interior still looks as good as leather and easier to keep so. Part of roof mechanism broke about 3 years ago and has been unserviceable since ($ and repair know how low) Some evidence of water seepage into headliner along side of roof., but never seen water entering Did quite a lot of simple mtce things and Forum add-ons. They often give v good guidance.
With an E46 and heretic GTI, I have to decide if I can afford to keep / fix the ti. Tough decision

[David wright]

Having come across this thread, notwithstanding the nature of the thread, does anyone in the uk know of an open air limited edition for sale? Ive desperately been looking for a well cared for example with low mileage for sale, however this model seems to be so immensely rare that all of my endeavours have come to nothing. Is it really so rare?

[eeyore-ns]

My understanding is that the Cal-Roof 318Ti's were only sold in North America, last model year being 1999.

[BlackBMWs]

David, there is a nice red one for sale in Chicago if you could import in into Wales.

[David wright]

Hi thanks for the reply. I saw a right hand drive in black driving around a few weeks ago and it renewed my interest. They were sold in Europe but I don't know what the numbers are. The one I saw looked very cool, but it's the only one I've ever seen at all. It had style 86 alloys which looked stunning. Thanks for the U.S. Comments. As far as the Cali is concerned I think it's a very small world. Goodness knows how much they cost. I haven't seen one for sale let alone compare prices.

[BlackBMWs]

I think I've seen maybe 5-6 over the few months for sale in the states, including a pristine one in Palm Desert, CA. Few in the previous two years. I suspect the tops break and folks don't know how to repair them.

Definitely need to know what you're about to get into. I have been in contact with two members in Europe with Open tops. Mallard and MR-bear. they have posted here on fixes and contributed.

They are in Europe. Just not very many according to Kitty.

[joe1602]

I guess I will weigh in here. I think they are pretty rare. My son (teen ti) has told me the production for 99 was only around 650 (yes 656 as posted earlier), and that of those produced in 99 very few had a 5-speed and most were automatics, fewer still had the 5-speed and the cali roof. I believe they all came with leather/cloth 2 tone type seats. He seemed to think that there were fewer than 200 that were made with the 5 speed cali combination. Knowing that these were few and far between, when one presented itself to me 3 years ago, sitting in a field in upstate New York, I jumped and jumped fast. I have never seen one in my area before or since. There are ti's, but no cali's and no M-Technik ones. I tell my neighbor who has a 1M, ours may not be worth as much, but it is more exclusive than his! My wife cant understand why I like it so much and why it has to stay in the garage. If you can find them, try to pick them up.

[David wright]

I agree that if I find one I will snap it up. Even if the roof hasn't been maintained I don't mind a long term project. It's an interesting car and the rarity makes it more elusive. I was glad to see a rhd version because I thought they were all lhd, as most seem to be in either the U.S. Or Germany. Anyone have any ideas on what a good one would cost to buy? I haven't a clue what they command, but as several of you have seen them for sale in the U.S. Maybe you have more of an idea. What was the top spec? Did they do individual models or larger engine options? Sorry for all the questions. You guys seem fairly knowledgeable because there's so little information out there. I guess they are a good investment for the future - the hunt begins... Lhd would be my second choice if there aren't any rhd's out there

[BlackBMWs]

So I have a 98 sport with the Cali top option. It is Dinan chipped, Supersprint exhaust, heated seats, cruise control, OBC, M3 twisty side skirts, BMW CD-43 radio upgrade with DICE interface, Countours with 70% tires, new custom car cover and in really clean condition for $4900. It came with every maintenance record since it was purchased, a bunch of magazines and books, aux emergency tool kit and a great condition 318ti baseball cap.

It did have a broken top motor and a broken, but functioning top.

$300 to fix top and motor.


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[David wright]

Sounds a lot less than I expected a Cali to be. Sounds like you've spent a lot on it too! Sounds very nice. I'm guessing it's auto with cruise control, and was really hoping for a manual. Seems like a steal at that price - I honestly thought it would be thousands more than that forgetting that I am thinking in pounds and not dollars. In the U.S. Is there a general under appreciation for the Cali because of the smaller engine? I know v8's and power cars are popular in the states . I can't believe that I could get my hands on one for that kind of money - got me thinking that if I could live with a lhd it would be more within my reach than I expected. Not that I really knew what to expect in the first place. Thanks for that

[E36 TI-M]

Iv been waiting for a clean calitop to pop up as well. Wife wants one! Red in particular

Right now i have a slick top and standard sunroof. The cali top would complete my collection

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by David wright

Sounds a lot less than I expected a Cali to be. Sounds like you've spent a lot on it too! Sounds very nice. I'm guessing it's auto with cruise control, and was really hoping for a manual. Seems like a steal at that price - I honestly thought it would be thousands more than that forgetting that I am thinking in pounds and not dollars. In the U.S. Is there a general under appreciation for the Cali because of the smaller engine? I know v8's and power cars are popular in the states . I can't believe that I could get my hands on one for that kind of money - got me thinking that if I could live with a lhd it would be more within my reach than I expected. Not that I really knew what to expect in the first place. Thanks for that

Auto?, Nah... It's a 5 speed.

I have a few mods invested since picking it up. CA Coilovers, Mason front and rear braces, x brace, HID/AE light conversion, 3.45 small case LSD, Stromung exhaust, Viper alarm with remote start, radar, 328i vented front brakes, 525i rear brakes, Hawk HD+ brake pads, SS brake lines, BT Alpine head unit, M3 Mirrors, Z3 three spoke steering wheel, center armrest and in-car forward camera.

Rides firm, but drives great!

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by E36 TI-M

Iv been waiting for a clean calitop to pop up as well. Wife wants one! Red in particular

Right now i have a slick top and standard sunroof. The cali top would complete my collection

John, there is a red one for sale in Sacramento. a 96 that needs a little TLC. I spoke with the owner, great guy, torn about whether he should sell it or not.

[E36 TI-M]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

John, there is a red one for sale in Sacramento. a 96 that needs a little TLC. I spoke with the owner, great guy, torn about whether he should sell it or not.

is this the automatic with the "100K on new motor?" you know the story on motor?